Thousands of Muslims gathered this week near Egypt’s ancient Abusir pyramid complex for the start of the Eid al-Fitr holiday, marking the end of the fasting month of Ramadan. Cairo-based photojournalist Hamada Elrasam captured scenes of the poignant celebration overshadowed by Israel's war in the neighboring Gaza Strip. Captions: Elle Kurancid.
For some Egyptian Muslims, Eid is overshadowed by war in neighboring Gaza
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Just south of Cairo in Egypt's Western Desert, worshippers from villages around the pyramid complex come together among ancient burial grounds, many of them bearing in mind the hundreds of thousands of people in the besieged Gaza strip where hopes for a Ramadan cease-fire were dashed. Abusir, Egypt, April 10, 2024.
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Young men spent the night decorating the prayer site with balloons with the colors of the Palestinian flag. Abusir, Egypt, April 10, 2024.
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“During our happy times, we must remember our brothers and sisters who are going through terrible times,” says Mohamed, one of worshippers attending Eid prayers against the backdrop of the Dahshur pyramids, Abusir, Egypt, April 10, 2024.
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“I’m sure when my Palestinian friends on Facebook see me taking a photo with the keffiyeh and these balloons, they’ll know we care about them, too,” says Mohamed, a high school student. Abusir, Egypt, April 10, 2024.